Hey everyone. Hope you all had a good time entering fall season. Probably the best season out of the 4 seasons we have. Let me take you back on memories of my Seattle trip having so much fun and getting to see amazing places even though we were short on the budget (Link for those didn’t get a chance to read – Link). Having a good time in Seattle just didn’t stop me from exploring the nearby places which led to take a courageous decision of me renting a car on my own and driving my friend to Portland.

Well, the fact is I have never ridden in the USA except for getting my driver’s license back in Florida for half a day within a parking lot. I was scared, to be honest. Woke up really early and got ready. I was boasting about my ability to find one of the cheapest rentals ever. But the happiness didn’t stay too long until we entered the FOX car rental. I would still not forget the complete scene, we were supposed to get the car rental at 7 Am. Yes, we were there, but unfortunately, I didn’t have a work back then which automatically doesn’t qualify for a credit card in most cases. The price we were supposed to pick up the car was $45 per day. we were totally upset and we were ready to get back home and binge lol. But the store guy himself felt so bad for us, called up a couple of people and tried to arrange a car for an individual with only a debit card.

A few Minutes walk he said and pointed us towards an Enterprise, which is again a car rental company. They are one of the largest chains of car rentals in the US and they do offer cars to debit cardholders with a hold in the account. and the hold gets back as soon as we return the car safe and sound. A ride of $45 cost us $160. But since we planned already, we were not okay to ditch it even though the rental became a high priced commodity.

TIP: If you only have a debit card account, Always see if your friend has a credit card and he can be the primary driver and add your name to it as a secondary driver or find and book an enterprise car even before getting charged $160 a day lol.

The rental was sorted but who was gonna drive? well certainly not her, as she doesn’t know driving at all. The worst thing about Seattle is that busses, metros, trams, bikes/ cycles and the whole human crowd were in the street which made my heart beat go higher every second I see one more additional person or a vehicle on road. The fascinating fact about the rental is that we rented out in the downtown which has the lesser crowd in the most sarcastic way :P. The moment I brought the car to the basement I was about to hit a stranger and well I didn’t. Swetha was like “Are you okay ?” “Will you drive that far ?”. Even today close to 4 years of driving in the US she still doesn’t let me have my phone in my arms to even have a look at the google maps. So you can imagine my first epic drive.

All that said and done I managed to steer the car to the freeway/ highway. That’s when I got a little bit of confidence and started to play some songs and watch the amazing view. After which I never had issues till date haha. Isn’t my driving story overtaking my Portland story? what do you guys think? Okay, let’s cut it short and get to the vital part of the story.

It’s just a couple of hours drive to either Mt. Rainer or Portland. If you at Seattle and you gotta a day it’s worth spending on either of these days. The drive during the day, when we were travelling was clear yet a little gloomy setting up perfect weather for driving and hanging out. The complete drive of 2 hours was completely filled with mountains, trees and gorges all over. The effort of driving couldn’t even be felt throughout the trip due to these amazing scenic views.

The first place we visited was Forest park which was in the middle of Portland with a short hike overlooking the Willamette River. Parts were covered partially with snow and made the hike a little bit challenging yet really fun. After hiking a good amount of time and capturing those natural beauties in the middle of the forest. Our body needed a recharge before getting to the next location. All that we had in mind was to go to amazing falls that everyone who had previously visited and suggested as well. It had a good rating on Google as well.

Instead of further wasting time in the restaurant waiting for food, we thought of doing fast food and keep running to the next destination as half the day went figuring out the car rental. The next location was Multnomah Falls. That’s where the most interesting and one of the best rides of my life ever took place. While driving towards this natural beauty, we actually lost the route and within a minutes we started claiming the hills as it started to drizzle, rolling down the window to feel the smell of nature and feeling the fresh air. Further, the altitude increased and we also lost internet connectivity. Now it becomes super fun, we know where we wanna go, but we are in a new state and city, no connectivity and wouldn’t see anyone whom we can go and approach to ask for location. As we’re driving moving higher the altitude it started getting cool and started to drizzle. Further, I started driving within a span of 15 minutes all the trees were completely filled with snow. And that sight just got my heart. Look at those amazing pics.

When I am able to recollect about it after 3 years and still try to express the feeling, you guys have to imagine how special and gorgeous that would have been in reality. Now I even forgot the location we were supposed to go enjoying this white beauty. when I started driving past these snow filled trees, it started to snow. Within 20 minutes of the drive getting to experience gloomy, drizzling, snowflakes over the tree to completely snowing atmosphere was just an incredible experience.

Finally, we were at the peak playing with the snow and finally got to see some people. Fortunately, they were few people not lost like us. They guided us in the right direction of the falls. But its always the road not taken delivers you the most exciting places just like what I explained. Finally, after all the detours we reached our destination Multnomah Falls. It was just a majestic site and the view was pretty lit.

There are two picture points one just the bottom one where I have taken pictures or you can hike up to the bridge and take pictures over the there. Pretty sure they would be Pretty lit as well. We didn’t have much time to do the hike. I am going back to this city in three weeks if you wanna have a sneak peek just follow my Instagram (Link).

There are more amazing places in Portland that I need to check out this time. Then it was a quiet drive back to Seattle due to tiredness. And one of the exciting trip coming up next post. Stay tuned fam.

Hey Fellas, after such an amazing trip to Lake Tahoe and Reno I planned on visiting my friend at Seattle. Before we get on with the trip, few were like are these trips recent ? meh, it isn’t. The ones I write now are like 3 years back precisely 2015 – 2016. I am writing based on my actual travel sequence. I hope this answers most of your questions on how latest are my writings. So my friend was my schoolmate who shared my kindergarten days to the third-grade ones. But it was after years I was gonna meet her.

My flight was early in the morning at SFO airport. I pretty much slept in the airport itself the whole night as I didn’t want to disturb my family friends sleep after their journey from Reno(Link). The very first time I had to stay the complete night at the airport, It was so amazing as I was searching for food, whiling away terminal checking out people 😛 and sleeping somewhere in the between safeguarding my baggage. Finally, In half sleep, I boarded the right flight to Seattle. What does the first thing come to your mind when you hear about Seattle? Yes, that’s right I hear you all. There is where both the wealthiest companies Amazon’s and Microsoft’s head Quarters are present.

The excitement was to see her after years and the stories listened about the city made me excited the moment I set foot on the flight to Seattle. It was early morning around 6 am. Precisely 1 degree to 2 degree Celsius. I got out of the airport, It was freezing and I managed to get to the train station just enquiring people around. the plan was to meet up half way as I took the metro and reached Union Station and she was already waiting for me. It had been over a decade since I met her. I was welcomed with the same old warm smile and a hug 🙂

Few glances of Gasworks Park

I got to stay at one of her guy friend’s place, I took rest for a few hours and in the meantime, she already had a plan as to all places to be visited. With a good breakfast, we kicked the day. The first point was Gas works state park. Even before we gotta discuss about the gas works park I need to let you guys know, we just used public transport where ever we went just because we were students back then and it was harder to rent out a car every single day in addition to which I was less than 25 years back then which asked for an excess of 10 dollars every single day. So we use this ORCA (One Regional Card for All) pass for our complete travel. Which is comfortable at the same time economical if it is less than 3 people.

( Seattle + Me ) in a nutshell

It was a pretty chill day ranging about 5 degrees. The gas works park gave a spectacular view of the downtown with birds chirping at the corners, ducks all over the lake and tourist boats. We spend a good amount of time viewing the scenery and having a conversation about our lost decade friendship. It was great catching up and got to see how life had been for us. After this nostalgic catch up, we headed over to Chinatown and started feeling the difference between the actual city and the Chinese side of Seattle. Where all the stores, restaurants, massage places and what not, were all named in Chinese and had Chinese structures to the buildings. You name it, they had the Chinese version of it LOL 😛

Downtown and Chinatown

On the way back we walked through the downtown and finally found an Indian restaurant accidentally and our stomach was not even listening to look for reviews, it wanted us to just go and have food. After which we decided to go to Kerry Park. Kerry Park is a perfect viewpoint to see the complete city with an elevated view. It offers amazing morning views as well an exemplary lighted view of the Seattle downtown. After this amazing beauty, we chose to head home. Legs have already given up on us. Since we weren’t driving we even slept off in the bus itself. Thank god, we got down on the right stop.

Images of Kerry Park at Night

Another Pleasant Seattle morning, we started our day by going around one of the most adorable campuses in the US. It was none other than, University of Washington- Seattle. Old yet classic and a prestigious institution. Since everyone was on vacation, University seemed to be silent but at the same time, we were able to take good pictures with any background we chose without any commotion. Close to lunch time we took off to Chihuly Glass gardens.

Chihuly Gardens

Chihuly gardens are basically garden made out of glass shaped into beautiful structures. We were fortunate enough to also see how they would do by heating the glasses and blow they through a shaft to yield those shapes. I bet my words can’t even get close to describe its magnificence. Hopefully, the pictures explain you its right perspective.

Pike Place Market and the First Starbucks store

After having a lovely time and a thousand pictures in the gardens we decided on going to the pike place market. Pike place market has a ton of stores which also encompasses the famous first Starbucks store ever to be opened still a part of this. It looks so bright and ambient with all the catches from Alaska and produces from the local farmers. They also have honey, flowers and handmade artefacts from locals. I just have some vague memory, as in we did have some food over there and went to the nearest place called Gum wall.

Glance of Seattle

Well, This is one the weirdest places you would probably get to see in my list of places visited. Yes, it looks colourful, Vibrant and even you get the best of pictures from there but its a wall where you eat gums and keep sticking all over the wall with loads of spray paint and graffiti images. Had an amazing time looking at the street are and the creativity of the people of Seattle. Yes that’s pretty much I covered in my First trip to Seattle but three things you should do as a visitor to Seattle are,

Of course the most beautiful Mt. Rainer (If you are a nature lover – That’s one place you should never miss )

Thank god I covered them the very next time on my second trip to Seattle like 4 months back. (May 2018). Well, my First Seattle trip didn’t end there, on the next day we planned on visiting Portland, Oregon. So many memorable moments from the first time I drove a car independently in the US to a drive that’s worth remembering forever. EYYY……. I assume I am pouring a lot more info about the next post… I can’t wait to tell you guys story of my 1-day trip from Seattle. Until then have an amazing time 🙂

Cheers to many more smokey videos and more travel Swetha – Thanks for being an amazing host 🙂

And one thing I completely forgot to tell you guys the whole journey. The amazing host was Swetha (Whom you guys saw in the pics) and if you guys are visiting Seattle. She would be your go-to person if at all you guys need any help with places to see or things to do. (Swetha’s Insta Profile).

Hey Folks, Hope everyone is having a good time. I understand I haven’t been as consistent as I use to be, Caught up with job and rituals. As the saying goes better late than never, here we go to the next blog post. Ready to explore how much I made or lost during Gambling. Just not to jump into the play of what I wanna write to you today. Let’s have a quick talk of my drive from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe (Blog Link). So Finally, we came to the beautiful small city, RENO -decorated with lights everywhere and I could see a ton of posters and banners for Casinos. I did shopping for the baggage claim cost the airline company issued me. As I was getting back to the place I stayed, the sight was just a castle with all the extraordinary arrangements as it was the Christmas the day after.

Hope you could just visualize from the pictures how grand and amazing the place would be. It was too cold and we decided on going to the pool. It should have been around 5-degree Celsius and a hot water pool (The First Picture Below). The best combination I would ever imagine at that point of time after an exhaustive day at a skiing resort. Was I left alone? well No. I was the one babysitting all these kids and making sure they were fine however I had my own moments enjoying the weather, pool, and my inside song (What’s an inside song ? Well, you would hear when your passion meets your hobby. Just kidding I just meant the rhythm that keeps playing when you are happy and your heart feels so light) Just had one such moment. After a long day of stressful activities thought I would go to sleep after draining out completely, but that didn’t happen. The pictures below showcase the grandeur and majestic place of the pepper mill resort (Resort link).

Instead, Uncle and I went on to the Casino floor. That was my First-time experience on entering a Casino and getting to watch so closely what’s really happening there and how are different games and their rules and regulations as well. All that I was doing is watch Uncle what’s he playing and how are things working in the game table. People who don’t wanna hear about Gambling well you should better skip to the next paragraph 😛 Lol, I am serious. So here it goes. The game he played that night was Craps(Picture below). He takes out a $300 and changes them into Casino Coins and brings them over to the table. In the meantime I was just going around tables looking at poker, roulette, baccarat, blackjack etc.. I came around after a while and he makes a total of around $550 and I was like “what the heck”. Then I started to observe the game and how tactically he plays to make that profit. As soon as he made $600, took his investment and just started to play with the profit he made. well, that needed some brain. I was shocked by the amount of profit he was able to make in the short period of time. I made myself clear that I am gonna mint money tomorrow playing this.

As usual got ready and was planning on going to the Ski resort the next day (Pictures explain how enthusiastic I was 😛 ).

Both the vehicles were loaded with the required ski dresses. There came the twist as we just started to go grab some breakfast, the snow started to shred all over. I was just astonished by the fact how quickly and gorgeous the snow started to cover up the complete place. I was just immersed with this beauty as this was my first time ever seeing the snowfall covering up a complete area and it was the Christmas day. I was so happy to celebrate the first white Christmas. we were just 5 to 10 minutes away from the resort and getting back the short distance was a struggle due to the snow. Do look at the picture and it just explains to you how the atmosphere was changed in just a few hours.

Just a comparison of the sudden change (The pics depict them well and the change was just a matter of 2-hour difference )

We were just kinda doing activities within the resort and was trying to while away some time and we were all settling for the Christmas feast at the resort. In the meanwhile, we decided to go to the hot pool maintained at the right temperature. The pool was surrounded by snow and it was such a delightful experience.

The snow made all the difference 🙂

Post which we headed over to dinner as we were hungry after a good pool session. Never been to such a big feast which included food from all over the world and with various varieties. I think the pictures describe them better.

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Once I was done with my dinner if I wasn’t gonna do any physical work I was for sure exploding. Not Exaggerating that’s exactly how much I had. I started walking around to get some food digestion going on. The sight of the gambling boards, the money my uncle made never made me settle. So, I wanted to try my luck out and see how much I make. So I made one of the unwanted decision ever made in my life to play Craps. And I didn’t know how much should I spend in order to start making money. But somehow, I came up with a total of $40. I was able to understand half of the rules. Based on my understanding, changed my money into casino coins and I kept a bet on multiple numbers. It was holding for a few minutes and I increased the bet 10 dollars more and all I was left was with the final 10 dollars in hand.The previous round I already lost $30. Already feeling guilty about doing that still my mind didn’t let it go. I finally bet on the last $10 and one more round everything was gone.

Maybe it was a coincidence my mom called me in whats app to say something and I am like I lost $40 bucks in the casino assuming that she is gonna go real hard on me. Back then I didn’t even have a stable income. But on the contrary, she was like gone is gone. Just give it a thought for a moment, If you had given that money to someone who really needs it, the happiness you yield would have been way more than making the profit out of those dollars in gambling. That thought really went deep into my brain. That was the first and last time I gambled.

The next day we packed up and drove all the way back to San Francisco. On the way back we went to a ski resort and did tubing. we had a ball as it was cold but we did have sunshine. Let the pics do the talking.

Finally the one good family selfie 🙂

After a tiring session, we had a scintillating drive back home due to the picturesque view of the Lake Tahoe.

I had already planned out on a trip to a mystery place (Letting you know next blog post) and got to meet my childhood bestie after a very long time. Let’s roll soon about that in the next blog post buddies 🙂

Hey folks, Hope the last blog post was helpful for you and if you felt so do share it with your friends as well. Let’s get back to my baggage lost story in San Francisco(SFO), After getting my baggage lost form receipt and a whopping offer of $150 to purchase anything of my choice, my family friends picked me up from the airport and I just had to explain them about all the delay. Got back to a 45-minute drive to San Ramon hills next to SFO. Such an amazing house, those were the initial days in the States and that was the very first time ever I was visiting my family friends place which was their own. Mind was like could you even afford to buy such a house, that too in SFO. Well, at least now I know it’s not a big deal if you are gonna live in the US for more than 20 to 25 years. Stories apart let’s get back, borrowing everything from Uncle except my inners 😛 . The shirt and pant were just as loose as it can get lol. Anyways I didn’t have a choice.

I came home around 11.30 pm and we started at around 4.45 am to the location that I haven’t still revealed. Back then I didn’t know how to plan, how to go about places, the modes of transportation, even driving was an issue. This trip was an eye-opener to see how people travel here with family. They were a couple and they had 2 sons as well as 3 relatives visiting them from India. So, we were 8 in total. We had two 7-seater vehicles Uncle drove one vehicle and Aunty drove the another. Finally, we started off to one the coldest location where it’s gonna be snowing and they gave me the snow weather dresses as well. You could look at me and say that wasn’t my dress haha.

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The drive was to LAKE TAHOE, one amazing place I wouldn’t regret going any number of time. Even when you guys see the picture you will feel the same. Such a beautiful place you can enjoy both your summers as well as winters. Summers for the lake and the winters its snow, skiing and the amazing ski resorts. Cars were allowed only if it had a 4-wheel drive or a chain attached at the wheels to not skid during the snowy areas. So, we were on a drive to the snow resort over in the Lake Tahoe. It was a mountaintop, throughout the way after crossing Sacramento ( Capitol of California )the way was completely capped with snow and it was my first time having a sight of that sort. I just started feeling the awe moment and started taking videos all over. Yet I didn’t see the snowfall. We started driving to the peak of the mountain where the ski place is.

Even then when I was in parking I didn’t see anything that was making me all excited. The moment when we got out and felt the – 40C with the beautiful snowcapped mountain view I just fell for it. I could get over the view even today. Got ourselves with the skiing kit with the kids. We went to the skiing area and I was like wow how do these kids do it so amazing. I just felt it’s kind of so easy to do it. Trust me when I wore those skiing kit and took a step ahead I was like, can I give it back and look at the amazing people doing it. But I didn’t leave the spirit to let’s see how far it’s going to be challenging? I was a beginner was assigned to a trainer and then he literally thought me as you would to a child as in how to move, how to stop and pretty much how to turn. I took so long in learning them, in the meantime, the kids with started getting hungry. So, had lunch probably a burger I suppose.

The Few Shades of me Skiing 🙂

Then the real fun started as in to go in a rail to reach the top of the ski area and ski from the top, as the evening proceeds the temperature again started dropping. In the coldest of weather snowflakes all over I did try skiing, it was mostly falling and getting off from the top a mountain. But I never quit, kept on trying even at a point where my one leg got caught in the snow and another one moving, in the numbness of the cold I just felt my legs are done it’s for sure a fracture. I couldn’t feel my leg nor I was able to take my ski pads stuck deep in the snow. Somehow pulled inch by inch to get me out of that trap. Finally, we called the day off, then someone remembers about the baggage claim, don’t have to think who is that. That’s none another than me lol. So, when we started driving to stay at a closer resort in a different city called Reno. It was an hour an and a half drive from there. In the meantime, I was calling up United airlines and they were like “Sorry sir, but the bag is still stuck in SFO and it is in Transit”. I got really mad but I couldn’t shout at them as I was with my family friends. Anyhow he increased the price to an amount of $250 (As a matter of fact my ticket was priced at only $280 ).

We were travelling back to a small but a beautiful city called Reno. And stores close around 9ish because the city was famous for its casinos and pretty much it. I literally didn’t have anything to wear the next day. So I was in a compulsion and I needed to get everything before the store closes. Somehow I made it, So happy that I made it plus I can shop for $250. It was quite some time since I moved over to the US, and that was really a great amount for me to spend on a one-day shopping. I did get all the clothes from all expensive brands lol. Finally done with shopping and getting back happily, I see my delivered it to my room in the hotel. It was a like a buy one get one free kinda feel.

With this happy note, let’s see how we spend the next couple of days in such a beautiful location 🙂

Hey everyone, how is the heat treating you? Yaas summer it is, but honestly who cares about heat when you get time to travel to beautiful destinations and with sun everything is a just a notch brighter and prettier. Today’s blog is just a guideline for you if you are a frequent traveler, a newbie to travel or a traveler on and off when you got time. This post is gonna help you not miss, get all your desirable perks and be a pro in a flight travel. Not to boast but giving you the background, I have traveled almost 5 to 6 international airlines and more 10 domestic airline carriers across the globe. Yes, I have made so many blenders which I don’t want you to commit. So here you go.

To accomplish all this, all you need to do – is to just follow the 10 steps below 🙂

I am letting you guys know what I learned the harder way, do follow this and I am pretty sure 99% you would not have any hiccups in your flight journey or maybe with respect to any sort of transportation.

1. Checking your Name, Date of Travel and Place of travel:

The most important and the first step you need to do is make sure all your details that you input for the flight are in accordance with your actual schedule (Dates and months to be verified) and as per your government documents(Name and Date of birth). Most flights have the option for the travelers to change it within 4 hours to 24 hours from the time of booking. So, make sure you guys have a check once you book your tickets, usually, we conceive in our mind what we had given is right but double checking is always better.

Passports on a map of the world to illustrate the keys to world travel

Courtesy: ndtv.com and travelvisapro.com

My experience: Did this mistake N number of times, I went to meet my friend in Seattle and I was supposed to fly to Los Angeles on 31st of December to have my new year gala at Los Angeles. I was about to check in on the 30th of December and my ticket was booked for 30th of January. Well, pay another $160 for a silly mistake. This list doesn’t stop from name changes to schedule changes. Well, I was fortunate enough to escape because of the 24-hour flight change policy quite a few times- but honestly why to risk it instead of verifying a couple of seconds.

2. Checking-In in Advance:

Hey, is it a big deal to check in within 24 hours of the flight? Well, the answer is yes, it is. It’s not that it reduces the time drastically but also makes sure you have a seat. There are chances if you don’t check in earlier you end up waiting in the general line where people wait to check in the luggage (This reduces your time for security check, time to sip a cocktail at the lounge or even have some delicious food from your favorite restaurant). The list doesn’t stop right there, It can make you wait for a seat even till the last moment till everyone board (Your mind voice: Is this guy serious? I am not kidding, It has happened to one of my very own friends). One more additional advantage, I am not sure of domestic airlines of different countries but the domestic airlines in the USA charge less if we check in our bag when we check in.

Courtesy: Iberia.com and American.com

3. Dress as per Destination:

The common mistake we do as a traveler or even just as a passenger is we get to pack dresses as per the source place instead of the destination. If you are traveling for whatever span, you always have the option of finding on the internet, how is the weather going to behave for the days that we are gonna stay at that place. Just a fun fact mostly in the world we assume June, July and August are summers but those are winters for people who live in Australia. So always make sure pack your pieces of luggage with the right combination of dresses in terms of climate as well as culture (If you wanna blend in a little bit 😛 )

Courtesy: thefashiontag.com and basecampadventure.com

4. Gate Change Update:

Well, one more Concerning thing that you as a passenger must know. Is it fine if I am done with security check and get to the gate? Can I relax and don’t care about anything until they call me to get on the flight?

Hell No, that’s when you gotta pay attention to every announcement that hears by your ear. Gates that the boarding pass say is not always going to be final, it can change due to technical reasons. It is even more catastrophic if there is a terminal change (Which usually doesn’t happen that often). So, the only thing we need to do is pay attention to the announcements and try to sit in the gate where our flight was intended to fly from.

Courtesy: familytravelck.com

5. Do’s and Don’ts for a Carry-On bag:

There are always restrictions in Carry-On baggage in terms of size, weight as well as things. One of the blog posts which gave a complete description of the restrictions has been added please go through it if in case you have any doubts about whether you need to carry them or Nah. (Carry on restrictions).

Few things I always have doubts about personally are Will I be allowed to carry food? Since they have restrictions on liquid, Can the food be semi-solid? As I guy Can I carry a razor? Few questions which knocked my mind when I was penning down my thoughts.

Answers are yes we will be allowed to carry food as long as it’s not semisolid or liquid. For example, I am a south Indian who loves parota with salna – which I usually don’t get in most of the Indian restaurants (For those who don’t know what it does mean just google it or I am putting up the link where I purchased in the USA – Restaurant) Well no shamming I am proud foodie 🙂 The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) didn’t allow me the salna or gravy whatever you wanna call since it was semi-solid. Razors, as well as a solid food substance, are fine to carry in a Carry-On baggage.

Any liquid item has a restriction and TSA’s official page has its description on what the weight we need to carry and exceptions on stuff like medication and infant items – Have a look a the link. (Liquid Restriction)

Courtesy: Cil.com and travel.gc.ca

6. Size and Weight restriction:

As a traveler, the thing you would hate the most is to pack and unpack within the flights constrained weight allowances. Every carrier has their own restrictions and allowable criteria make sure to check the respective weight criterion of the airline you are gonna travel. Usually when its international you would be given with two check-in baggage (23 Kgs each), a carry-on baggage and a personal item. In a domestic flight, it completely depends on the country and the carrier varies from just a personal item, or just a carry on with it or even free of cost check-in baggage. This completely depends on the carrier. This is more important when you need to choose what the purpose of the visit, if you are shifting from one location to another (It is better to prefer the airline which gives free checked in Baggage) or If you are going on a short trip for three days you wouldn’t even require a carry on Baggage so prefer to choose a cheap and non-baggage friendly airline. Blog post for size restrictions(Size restrictions) Always double check with the airline for the latest update.

Courtesy: Target.com and Vincentloy.wordpress.com

7. Parking / Uber Choice:

The Choice of transport to/from airport depends on three factors,

1. Traffic 2. Distance and 3. Economy

Traffic: So basically, in a city like Los Angeles or Bengaluru traffic gets in the way so badly that it can take several hours for us to reach the airport. God bless Google map, keep checking the estimated time of arrival when you are planning on driving or even using the public transport such as a bus or a metro.

Distance: If you live far away from the airport and your trip is as short as 2 to 3 days. Most of the Cities have parking next to the airports and those parking centers provide shuttles to the airport. So, it’s a win, you arrive on time, don’t have to wait for a public transport and obviously more comfortable.

Economy: Three options, Either we just use Uber (Something similar to the App like Lyft or Ola), Or have our own car parked in any of the airport parking centers or use a public transport. As a traveler work out the math which comes out to be cheaper and ofcourse use the effective one.

Courtesy: Medium.com

8. Netflix/Song Download:

Flight experiences are amazing but at the same time if you fly in the nights or its really sunny outside and you don’t open the shades on the window. you are going to be completely bored especially if you travel alone. Adding to it, if you completely have a boring or a silent person next to you. you are done. That’s why always when you know you are gonna fly, download songs and shows of your Interest so that you never get bored. Few flights provide WIFI service in the air but it’s too pricey.

Courtesy: makeuseof.com and wikipedia.com

9. Free Upgrades to Business Class:

Have you ever heard of this concept? you pay for an economy ticket and just because there is an availability on the business class the airline company upgrades your ticket to a business class one. Well, I am not kidding I have known friends who have had this amazing opportunity. I wish I can get one day but it has never happened as of now. It’s always better to go and ask when you are check-in in your baggage or even at the gate when you are about to enter your flight. If there is an availability for a business class and if their answer is yes we do have but you gotta pay for it. All that you can answer as well I am good for now, I was just looking for a free upgrade if in case you guys have it. It’s okay to not get but it’s not okay to ask lol. You never know whether that’s gonna be your lucky day.

Courtesy: pointsguy.com

10. Baggage Loss:

The 10th and the most important section is baggage loss. What should I do if my baggage is lost? The answer is to keep calm and you are definitely not responsible for it. Make sure to complain to the respective airline companies baggage claim team and fill out the required forms. The airline company or the insurance company take up the complete responsibility to bring the luggage to your own home address. Apart from that as a customer we also can purchase things for the amount sanctioned by the airline company during the phase of getting our luggage to our phase. Every airline has its own limit if you are not sure of the amount then check their website or call customer service which is always a better option. Just not waiting for your baggage delays might as well use your flying perks.

Any doubts you guys have feel free to reach out to me. I’ll try my best answering them or at least try to guide on where could you find the answers for.